How should Europe react? What really happened in the Sea of Azov? Is Ukraine prepared for a confrontation with its powerful neighbour? In this BILD interview, Ukrainian president Petro Poroshenko talks about Putin’s lies, Russia’s aggression, and his hopes for Germany’s support.

BILD: Mr. Poroshenko, you’ve just been to an army base and have visited your troops. Russia claims that your policy is primarily a means of campaigning for the elections. Is that true?

Poroshenko: “Do not believe any of the lies that Putin is telling you. This is ridiculous. Do you remember when he told the world that there were no Russian soldiers on Crimea? Do you remember that, allegedly, there were no Russian soldiers in eastern Ukraine? Do you remember the poisoning of his former spy in Salisbury? Putin tells the world fairy tales, and he’s doing it again right now.”

“Putin wants the old Russian empire back”

BILD: What happened during the encounter with the Russian navy?

Porroshenko: “Our navy adhered to international law. We have presented all the evidence. Everybody can see that it was Russian soldiers who attacked our navy.

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Following this act of aggression, we had to react. That’s why, in some regions, I have declared martial law, because we must protect our country. It is like it was before, in 2014 – Putin wants to annex a further part of Ukraine. He is acting exactly like he did back then.”

BILD: Really?

Poroshenko: “Putin wants the old Russian empire back. Crimea, Donbass – he wants the whole country. He sees himself as a Russian emperor, and his empire cannot work without Ukraine. He regards us as a colony. This is what he wanted at the beginning of the conflict, and this is what he still wants.

But since I took office, Ukraine is no longer a colony. And he hates the idea that Ukraine wants to become a part of the EU and NATO. That’s the reason behind this renewed Russian aggression. We have indications of a potential offensive on the ground that Putin may be planning. We have presented these satellite images to all of our partners.”

BILD: Should German naval vessels be deployed to the Sea of Azov? What would that achieve?

Poroshenko: “Germany is one of our closest allies, and we hope that states within NATO are now willing to deploy naval vessels to the Sea of Azov in order to support Ukraine and to guarantee its safety.

The only language that he understands is the unity of the Western world. We cannot accept Russia’s aggressive policy. First, it was Crimea, then eastern Ukraine, now he wants the Sea of Azov. Germany also has to wonder: what will Putin do next if we don’t stop him?”

Poroshenko with BILD reporter Paul RonzheimerFoto: Alexey Furman

BILD: Can Putin be stopped at all?

Poroshenko: “The world must speak with one voice. We need further sanctions immediately, given this incredible Russian aggression. Putin must immediately release our soldiers and, at the same time, clear the Sea of Azov for the international marine traffic. Incidentally, it is not only Ukrainian merchant vessels that are stuck there. At this point, three German ships are also unable to proceed.”

BILD: Why don’t you try talking to Putin directly?

Poroshenko: “I did call Putin directly following the incident and asked for immediate negotiations. But it’s just like it was in 2014, 2015, and 2016. Every time that Putin’s troops attack Ukraine, he simply stops communicating.”

BILD: Over the past few years, you have repeatedly warned of a great war – as reported by BILD. What is different this time?

Poroshenko: “This is not about warnings, but facts. Satellite images and audio recordings clearly show this. I don’t want a war. What I want is peace for our country. If Putin withdraws his troops from the border, we’ll immediately end the state of war. Unfortunately, I have little hope that Russia will stop the aggressions.”

BILD: What do you expect from Chancellor Angela Merkel?

Poroshenko: “Chancellor Merkel is a great friend of Ukraine. With her negotiations in Minsk in 2015, she already saved our country once before. Now we are hoping that she, and our other allies, will once again support us this much.”